John Surtees: Isle of Man TT legend dies at 83

John Surtees (11 February 1934 – 10 March 2017) has died in hospital at the age of 83. John Surtees will always hold a special place in the history of the Isle of Man TT. Seen as the greatest motorcyle race in the world, the Isle of Man TT provides the ultimate test for competitors and machines alike. The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race was first held on the Island in 1907. The Snaefell  Mountain Course was first used in 1911 and the 37¾ mile course rises to 1,385ft (422 metres) above sea level at its highest point. 

John Surtees was the first man to win the Senior TT at the Isle of Man three years in succession in 1958, 1959 and 1960. He  was 500cc motorcycle World Champion four times, winning that title in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960. He went on to win the Formula One World Champion in 1964, and remains the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels.